Tags ‘Michael Matz’

It’s hard to imagine making the Kentucky Derby a much more popular event than it is already, but I have an idea that could lead to increased public interest in the competing horses, heighten the...
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Union Rags has been retired from racing. Winner of the Belmont Stakes (G1) this season, Union Rags suffered a suspensory injury that was diagnosed just days after he worked out at his home base of Fair Hill training center on July 6. He was preparing f... Read More...

Daily Racing Form reported late Tuesday that Union Rags has sustained a minor tendon injury to his left front leg and will miss the remainder of this season. Russell Jones, an advisor to Phyllis Wyeth, the colt’s owner and breeder, told Glenye Cain O... Read More...

Teeth of the Dog stamped himself as a 3-year-old to watch the remainder of the year as he turned back a stern late challenge from Fast Falcon to win Saturday’s Dwyer Stakes (G2). Trainer Michael Matz, who saddled Union Rags to a win in the Belmont St... Read More...

The 2012 Triple Crown is in the record books, but Saturday at Belmont Park seven 3-year-olds aim to make an impression on the division in the 95th running of the Dwyer Stakes (G2). Heading the field is Teeth of the Dog, who won the $100,000 Easy Goer o... Read More...

Union Rags, winner of Saturday’s 144th running of the Grade 1, $1 million Belmont Stakes, was a happy horse Sunday morning. The hero of the Belmont Stakes was back home in Michael Matz’s barn at the Fair Hill training center in Elkton, Md., the tra... Read More...

Union Rags, the hard-luck colt who finished a troubled seventh in the Kentucky Derby (G1), avenged the defeat in grand fashion on Saturday in the 144th running of the Belmont Stakes (G1). The Belmont lost some of its luster on Friday with the announcem... Read More...

Union Rags wins the Belmont Stakes! Has he come full circle? Well, not quite. However it is very close. Last year, The Michael Matz trained colt broke his maiden first time out at Delaware Park. Won the Three Chimneys Saratoga Special Stakes (G2) at Saratoga... Read More...

With the 12 horses in the Belmont Stakes racing at 1 ½ miles for the first time in their careers, the distance is a question mark for all. Although the progeny of Union Rags’ sire, Dixie Union, typically do their best running up to 1 1/8 miles, trai... Read More...

Union Rags arrived at Belmont Park shortly after 11 a.m. on Wednesday and was quickly settled into to the stakes barn. All the Belmont Stakes contenders were required to be in the special stakes barn by mid-day on Wednesday. Trainer Michael Matz said U... Read More...

Trainer Michael Matz said that Union Rags will work either tomorrow or Friday at Fair Hill training center in preparation for the Belmont Stakes (G1). Matz also announced that Union Rags will have a new jockey in John Velazquez. “He’s doing very we... Read More...

Union Rags arrived at Churchill Downs on Thursday from Keeneland and turned in a strong 1 ½-mile gallop under the Twin Spires on Friday. Trained by Michael Matz, who trained Barbaro to win the 2006 Kentucky Derby (G1), Union Rags will be ridden in nex... Read More...

Grace Hall lost a narrow decision to Yara last time out in the Davona Dale Stakes (G2), but has been installed as the 4-5 favorite in today’s Gulfstream Park Oaks (G2) rematch. Owned by Michael Dubb and partners, the 3-year-old daughter of Empire Mak... Read More...

Horse racing is about big dreams. Phyllis Wyeth, breeder and owner of Florida Derby (G1) favorite Union Rags, knows all about them. Wyeth shared with Gulfstream Publicity this week a story about a filly she had high hopes for years ago and how that fil... Read More...

For good reason, the overwhelming favorite in the 2012 Florida Derby (G1) at Gulfstream Park this Saturday is Union Rags. He has raced 5 times, with 4 wins and a 2nd place effort which came in the Grey Goose Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (Hansen). His one... Read More...

Union Rags photo courtesy of Gulfstream Park/Coglianese photo In a sparkling performance, Union Rags establishes himself as a clear Kentucky Derby favorite Union Rags’ reputation may have taken a hit when he lost last year’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenil... Read More...

By MICHAEL COMPTON As the Kentucky Derby trail kicks into high gear this weekend, Sunday’s Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2) at Gulfstream Park should go a long way in helping sort out the 3-year-old picture, at least in South Florida. With a field that includes the undefeated Todd Pletcher-trained pair of Algorithms and Florida-bred Discreet […] Read More...